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Enjoy the very best of LondonSun, 14 Feb 2016 17:46:12 +0000en-GBhourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.6.1My London: Celebrity Chef Gary Rhodeshttp://blog.visitlondon.com/2013/06/my-london-celebrity-chef-gary-rhodes/
Thu, 06 Jun 2013 14:14:41 +0000http://blog.visitlondon.com/?p=33356Top chef Gary Rhodes runs British restaurant Rhodes 24 on the 24th floor of Tower 42, one of the City of London’s tallest buildings. We caught up with him to talk about all things London.

Gary, do you live in London?

I’ve lived in London for many, many years. At the moment I’m based just outside of London, in Kent, but I have lived all over London and spent the majority of my time in West Hampstead, although I am from the south of London originally. Each place I have lived is totally different.

What’s your favourite London restaurant?

My restaurant is in the City, but I have many favourite restaurants in the capital. In Greater London, Chapter One – a Michelin-starred restaurant with British produce and a slight French influence – is one of my favourites.

I also love Le Gavroche by the Roux brothers, who are my culinary heroes, and I love eating there. There is also an Italian, Zafferano, in Knightsbridge, which is quite sensational.

There are many places I love to eat at different times. Some of the Indian restaurants, such as The Painted Heron on Cheyne Walk, I like going to. I really like to sample and experience foods from different countries and see if they can influence my style of British food.

We’ve noticed lots of different food trends in London lately, from pop-ups to street food. What do you think will be the next trend?

We’ve seen a lot of modern British cooking, but something I think is really coming up is Middle Eastern cooking. We have seen a lot of Lebanese and Moroccan places that are having a bigger influence. This could be as the Middle East becomes more popular for holidaymakers. The great tagine dish will become very popular soon.

What would you recommend to first-time visitors to London?

It’s all food-related with me, so of course I’m going to recommend taking to the streets, taking a walk around a neighbourhood, enjoying some of our architecture – sometimes London is like walking around an open-air art gallery – and taking in some of the best local eateries. There are many more undiscovered great streets to explore. Soho has once again become one of the most fashionable places to be.

When you are away from London, what do you miss most?

When I’m travelling into London to go to the restaurant, I get off one stop early and walk across London Bridge to the City. I am approaching probably the most exciting city in the world. To my right is Tower Bridge, to my left is Westminster and Big Ben, slightly to my left is St Paul’s sitting there and I’m thinking “wow”.

From there, I walk to Leadenhall Market, where during lunchtime and the evening you will find some fantastic street food and a fantastic British pub. The story goes on as I continue my walk, and that’s the beauty of London: every path and every corner you turn there is something fresh and exciting for you to discover and enjoy.

We spoke to Gary Rhodes as he showcased some fantastic British cuisine at VisitBritain’s Destination Britain travel event in Bangkok, Thailand. Gary Rhodes will be appearing at Taste of London festival this month.

Not only can you find some fantastic food in London, but it’s often served in aesthetically-pleasing surroundings. Some of the capital’s restaurants – regardless of whether you’re looking for haute cuisine or a quick burger – even offer you the chance to enjoy works from world-famous artists along with your food.

Burger King, Leicester Square
It’s probably not the first place you’d think to look, but the top floor of the fast food giant’s Leicester Square venue is graced with a two-metre wide painting by Damien Hirst (above). Entitled “Beautiful Psychedelic Gherkin Exploding Tomato Sauce All Over Your Face, Flame Grilled Painting 2003”, the work was made using the “spin painting technique” and is on loan to the venue until at least the end of the year.

L’Escargot, Soho
This renowned Soho restaurant is littered with fine art. See works by the likes of Hockney, Matisse, Chagall, Warhol and Miro downstairs, or check out the fantastic selection of Picasso sketches on the first floor.

Rules, Covent Garden
The walls of this venerable restaurant, which serves delicious British cuisine, are covered in hundreds of paintings and drawings. Don’t miss the large allegorical painting by John Springs, which features a triumphant Margaret Thatcher against a backdrop of the Faulkland Islands.

Le Gavroche, Mayfair
Admire works by Miro, Giacometti, Dali and Picasso from one of the sought-after tables at this brilliant restaurant from Michel Roux Jr.

Rivington Grill, Shoreditch
This Shoreditch hotspot hosts a regularly changing selection of work from the nearby Carl Freedman Gallery, as well as two works by Tracey Emin: “No Time” and “Life Without You. Never”.

Langan’s Brasserie, Piccadilly
See art by Lucien Freud, Francis Bacon, David Hockney and many others at this popular brasserie, which is sister to the equally art-infested Odin’s.

Sketch, Oxford Street
Turner prize-winner Martin Creed, creator of All The Bells, has designed the restaurant at Sketch. It consists of various of his works: look out for the 96 types of marble on the zigzagging floor, the large scale wall paintings and the astounding attention to detail paid to the furniture and cutlery, every item of which is different.

Tramshed, Shoreditch
Damien Hirst has installed two of his pieces in the latest meat-centric outpost of Mark Hix’s restaurant empire. You can’t miss “Cock and Bull”, the huge formaldehyde installation suspended in the middle of the restaurant, but look out for his “Beef and Chicken” painting too.

The Restaurant at the Royal Academy of Arts, Piccadilly
The spectacular range of art extends into the restaurant of this world-famous venue, and diners can enjoy fantastic sculptures and murals alongside tasty dishes.

Nandos, venues across London
The popular chicken chain deserves an honourable mention for its commitment to showcasing South African art in its restaurants. It now has the largest collection in the UK, and you can see a variety of examples at their restaurants around town.

Have you spotted any more art over your supper at a London restaurant? Let us know in the comments below.